*Clare players celebrate at the homecoming at the Fair Green. Photograph: Tom Micks
HEARTS have swelled in Co Clare following the success of the county’s hurlers in winning the All-Ireland senior championship for the fifth time.
Crowds of 36,000 welcomed home their hurling heroes at The Fair Green in Ennis last Monday evening with a sea of saffron and blue taking over the county town.
Mayor of the Ennis Municipal District, Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) in a passionate speech at the homecoming first resembled a South American soccer commentator when issuing her cheer of ‘Up the Bannerrrrrr’ as opposed to “goooooool”.
She said, “it is a very proud woman I am to be standing on this stage with so many talented Clare hurlers, the 2024 All-Ireland senior hurling team. I was at Croke Park and we were in a very strong Cork stronghold, by God in the first fifteen minutes we saw this crimson wave and I said ‘oh Lord’ but by God did we stop that crimson wave for sure”.
Efforts of the local authority in broadcasting the game via a big screen at the Fair Green on Sunday, organising the homecoming in Ennis and decorating the county with bunting was hailed by the Quin native. “I also want to thank the County Council, the Ennis Municipal District, they have been hard at work for the last two weeks for this All-Ireland final, they have decked out the whole town in the buntings, the banners, the up the banner and all those flags that have been flying high knowing that we were going to take up the Liam MacCarthy Cup for sure and we did it, we did it”.
A neighbour of centre-forward Shane O’Donnell, Clare said, “There was many a tear that was cried for sure yesterday and it was a tear of joy, there was also so many hearts that swelled so big at pride at these incredible team of hurlers, it would make you want to cry right here right now”.
Special praise for Clare’s captain was issued by the Mayor of the Ennis MD. “I want to pay a special tribute to the captain, Tony Kelly from Ballyea. I was also privileged to attend the victory gala dinner and listen to Tony speak about his team of players and speak about the management team, the level of bonding, the level of respect and attention is palpable, it is why we are the winning team of the All-Ireland for 2024, that is no doubt in my mind. I’m going to finish off by thanking you for coming here to applaud these fabulous hurlers and their management team for the incredible success they have brought back to the Banner County after eleven long years, well done to you all”.
